The Walled City

The many times I've been to the people-filled Manila area, I've only been to Intramuros once. Genuinely, that is. See, the funny thing is, I've been to the Manila Cathedral numerous times in the past but I was never aware that the church was inside the darn place. It's not exactly my fault because nobody ever told me. But then again, I never asked so there's nobody to blame except for my Civics and Culture teacher.

I only found out when I explored the entire place and ended up near the church. That's the time I felt pathetic about myself. At that very moment, I just stood there, stared at that huge church and recollected my past which involved myself being there a couple of times being unaware and all. Talk about being lost in the city of Atlantis.

What I clearly meant with being in Intramuros once was obviously the time when I went there and I was already fully aware where on earth my current location mapped. Though the place was historically rich, I honestly did not find it very interesting. No. Offense. Meant. Perhaps because I had no tourist guide or some history-expert person who would've told me things about the place (or sugarcoat) and what happened there centuries ago which would've made it extra special. I had a flat 1 grade in my Philippine History subject back in college, though. Despite that pride, I still couldn't believe a pseudo intellectual character such as I am can actually get a grade like that -- and History which isn't my cup of tea. Spare me the praise.

But what was very amusing that I noticed in Intramuros was that the external outlooks of popular establishments (Mini Stop, 7Eleven, Metrobank, and I can go on forever) were like really old Spanish-themed architectural infrastructures. The place, however isn't purely old anymore because of some modern institutions which sit inside the walled city, not to mention renovations and all; but I guess I managed to capture very interesting photographs which tell a lot.